LeBron James Decision: How LBJ Has Put Himself in a No-Win Situation

So the LeBron James soap opera is coming to its thankful end a little less than a day from now.  

The circus show that James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have created over the past two weeks has left some fans excited, but other fans tired and, in some cases, flat-out angry.

But it will all finally come to an end when LeBron announces to the world on ESPN where he will be playing for the next 3-5 years. 

Will it be in Cleveland, his hometown team?  Will he join the "super trio" in Miami with Wade and Bosh?  

Will he go for the fame and lights of New York City?  Or could he try to fulfill his legacy in the house that Jordan built in Chicago?

When the dust settles though, I am here to tell you that no matter where he signs, LeBron has created a no-win situation for himself.  

Now before I go on, let me say that any man who makes $125 million is winning!  I realize that almost any person in this world would love to face some of the issues LeBron will be having. 

However, when you look at a man who claims he loves Cleveland, but wants to win a title, all while keeping the sporting world happy, there's just no way it can happen; not now.

You can thank how he has handled this entire situation for this dilemma. 

From talking about his impending free agency for two years, to his surprise trips to Akron and declaring his love for the area, to this manufactured drama with this news conference, it's all just gotten tiring.

And what is worse, LeBron faces major issues with whatever team he decides to go to.  Let's take a look at why I believe this.

1.  Cleveland

This is obviously the best bet.  Stay home, continue to be a hero to the people of Cleveland, and try to fulfill his destiny with the Cavs.  But for almost every year in his career, a popular topic in the off-season was what talent were they surrounding LeBron with?  

For the past two or three years, now-former GM Danny Ferry did his best to find the right pieces to gel with James.  They even brought in Shaq this past year.  But nothing has worked.

And now, the team has signed no one of note to accompany James, and now Shaq is departing and Zydrunas Ilgauskas might not be back, either.

I could argue with how the Eastern Conference is shaping up, the Cavs would be no better than fifth next year.  So while he'll look like the good guy coming back, how will he win a title?

2.  Miami

The trendy selection is James joining his friends in Miami and creating a "super team."  But correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't a "team" have to have more than three players? 

Because if James signs here, the Heat will have FOUR players under contract after they trade away Michael Beasley, a necessity in order to bring in LeBron.

The Lakers tried this several years back with Shaq, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton.  

The Heat could have three of the 10 best players, but if the other 12 on the roster are scrubs that would see the bench on any other team, could the Heat really win a title?

3.  Knicks

With LeBron's conference coming from Greenwich, Conn., there is talk James might go to the Knicks, which I am sure the NBA would love to see.  

So James goes to New York, all is right with the world right?  Wrong!  Sure they signed Amare Stoudemire, but who else do the Knicks have?  

The depth of their roster makes Cleveland's look strong, and with two max contracts, could the Knicks really improve much?

4.   Bulls

If LeBron wants to win a championship now, the Bulls offer the best chance.   A starting lineup that includes James, Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose and Joaquin Noah is probably the best foursome in the sport.  Plus, the Bulls have some good depth.

However, LeBron has looked shaky in his career when he's had a lot of pressure.   Just imagine how much he'll have with every reporter in the country, and the Bulls fans, comparing every step and breath he takes to Michael Jordan, who most compare to a god.

5.  Nets

The dark horse in this is LeBron joining his friend Jay-Z in New Jersey.   The problem is, the team is still a rebuilding project and the team has a ton of uncertainty about where it will be playing in the near future.

Is LeBron willing to wait to have this team develop and move to Brooklyn in a few years while the media will get on him for not winning championships?

Allowing so much time and creating so much drama with this situation has had the puzzle pieces fall like this.  Where indeed is the best situation for him?  If he really wants to win, and win now, going to Chicago would be the best in my opinion. 

I truly think the Miami situation would be a disaster.   However, if he does leave Cleveland, not only will he crush a city, and a franchise whose value has doubled in the past seven years, he will be vilified by everyone as a selfish, narcissistic and immature player who played with the heartstrings of Cavaliers fans, and ultimately turned his back on them. 

You have created this bed, LeBron James, enjoy lying in it.